Kids can swap Halloween candy for Zoo tickets, and celebrate The Loop

Even as health-care experts, we’re not complete purists: The occasional piece of candy can be a nice treat.

But a whole jack-o-lantern full? That’s just too much sugar and saturated fat for a healthy diet.

So on Nov. 1, Tucson Medical Center will team up with Reid Park Zoo to give families a chance to swap those sticky treats for a fun outing at the Zoo. What’s better than a baby elephant, anyway?

The first 100 children to give up the goods (give or take a few pieces) will receive free admission to the Zoo for one child and one adult. That’s a cavity-free value of $14.

WHEN: 10 a.m. until noon, Saturday, Nov. 1

WHERE: The Mulcahy YMCA at Kino Community Center, 2805 E. Ajo Way.

WHAT: The Halloween candy swap is part of a family-fun day of festivities to mark the opening of the Julian Wash segment of The Loop shared-use path system. Anything without a motor — tennis shoes, bikes, skates, horses — is good to go on the path.

A new 2.7-mile segment, funded by a joint effort between Tucson Medical Center and Carondelet Health Network, opens the entire 14-mile length of the Julian Wash Greenway between the Santa Cruz River and Rita Road. Better yet, it is part of 100+ miles of bike and pedestrian paths looping around metro Tucson.

HOW: Visit www.pima.gov/TheLoop for details about the other fun celebration activities along the path that day, including a climbing wall, a bike rodeo, music and a football obstacle course. Refreshments and bike aid stations will be available, along with 200 free kids’ bicycle helmets and free water bottles while supplies last.

WHY: Wrapped candy will be donated to The Salvation Army for its youth programs.